Inflatable covering for surfaces



Inacelle I3.

atented Sept. 1.8,-

mrLaTABLE covERlNG Fon sURFAcEs@ Charles F. Y Totheroh, Copley,- Ohio, assignor t- The B.YF. Goodrich Company, New York, N. Y., a corporation of New York Application January 23, 1948, Serial No. 3,946 6 claims. (C1. 244-134) 1 Y Y The invention Vrelates to apparatus for preventing the accumulation vof ice upon surfaces exposedto ice-forming conditions and` especially to inflatable protective coverings for the wings and other airfoils and surfaces of aircraft. Objects of the invention are to provide an improved protective covering utilizing a series of inflatable tubes or passages side-by-side; to provide for lateral distention of a tube to a position substantially overlapping the position of an adjacent uninated tube; to provide effectively for ice-removal at the zones between adjacent inflatable tubes; `to provide for a covering having two sets of tubes arranged in alternation one of which sets has tubes of limited distensibility and the other set has tubes of extensive distensibility; andV to provide for maintaining strength and durabiltyA of the construction while under repeated high inflation pressures and especially to provide an arrangement of parts such as to minimize the tendency of rupturing Aand separation of parts of the structure as a result of high inflation pressures. j These and other objects and advantages of the invention will be apparent'from the following description.

In the drawings which form a part of this specification and in which like numerals are employed to' designate like partsthroughoutthe same, Fig. 1 is a perspective view from above of coverings on the leading edge of an aircraft wing constructed in accordance with and embodying Vthe invention, parts being broken away andV in section, Y

Fig. 2 is a plan view from above of a covering before attachment to the wing, parts being broken away,

' Fig. 3 isa section taken along line 3--3 of Fig. 2,-parts being broken away, Y

Fig. 4 is a view like Fig. 3 butvshowing one set of alternate tubes in the inflated condition, and

Fig. 5 is a view like Fig. 3 but showing the intervening alternate tubes in the inflatedv condition. l

The covering construction shown in the drawings is adapted to be mounted on the leading edge of an aircraft wing I0 or other airfoil or surface exposed to ice-forming conditions `and at the desired locations such, for example, as the inboard II and outboard I2 sides of an engine Each covering may be marginally attached, but is preferably attached adhesively to provide an all-over. cemented-down attach- Vment, thereby making feasible afthin construction presenting minimum disturbance to airiiow and having minimum weight.

The coverings at II and I2 being substantially identical in construction, only the construction shown at II will be described in detail. The covering at II has a body I6 of resilient rubber or other rubber-like material including an inner wall or-sheet backing I1 having desirably a reinforcement I3 of relatively non-stretchable, woven textile fabric of nylon or other suitable iilamentary material disposed adjacent the inner surface I9 of the covering. The covering has a thin, outer wall 25 of the resilient rubber-'like material of substantially uniform thickness, as shown especially in Fig. 3, to facilitate substantially uniform stretching of `the outer Wall 25 under inflation of the covering, and desirably includes a. highly stretchable reinforcementY 26 disposed adjacent the outer surface 20, which reinforcement may be stockinette or other elastic knitted or Woven material such as bias-laid', open-mesh fabric of nylon. l

Two sets of iniiatable passages or tubes IMI@ and I5, I5 arranged in alternation are disposed in the body I6 in side-by-side relation with the margins of adjacent tubes desirably in contact with one anotherin the ininfiated condition of the tubes. While the tubes may extend in the chordwise or other direction of the covering', it is preferred that the tubes extend spanwise and be arranged in series chordwise of the covering as shown in the drawings.

In accordance with the invention, the alternate tubes I5, I5 are extensively distensible, and preferably have walls of resilient rubber-like ma;- terial without stretch-resisting reinforcement. Each all-rubber tube I5, under inflation,` outwardly bulges the covering not only between but also beyond its margins 22, 22 which are laterally distended in overlapping relation to the position of the adjacent uninflated tube I4, as shown in Fig. 4; whereby the ice-depositoverlying the zones between adjacent tubes I4, I5 rand also intermediate the margins of the tube I5 is broken and .loosened ,for removal by the scavenging action of the flow of air across the covering.'Y 'Ihe outer wall 25 including its reinforcement ,.26

being elastic does not objectionably resist the The intervening alternate tubes J4, A.I4 -neednot be extensively distensible, andv each desirably includes in its Wall of resilient rubberelilre material a stretch-resisting reinforcement 29, preferably of nylon fabric, which may be continuously annular and may have some extensibility. The reinforcement 29 functions to limit the distensibility of each tube I4 and offers strength to resis-tblowout of the tubes under high inflation pressures and during inilationof .fbothtsets of tubes, sthe re,- inforcement in eiectstrengthening the adjacent marginal walls of adjacent tubes Maud I5. Each tube zI4 vat its -baselor innercircumferential portion 21 is xedly .attached to the backing I'I entirely .across the 4,Width of the `tube between the margins 2l, 2;I thereof. Wheninatedach tube L4 l:tends to assume aflattened semi-circular shape substantially as shown in;Fig. 5, there being little o r no `lateral ydistention of the margins 2I,.2I.

The advantages f the construction described hereiiibefore may be. obtained with inflatable tubes of -small Width as Well as tubes of large width, .good results having been :obtained especially in the case of small tubes under about 3A of anfinchinwidth.

The fabric and rubber parts of the covering are idesirably .integrally united as by vulcaniza- ,ticnfunder yheat and .pressureY thus Vassuring good attachment of .the r.tubes .in the Catering, .espe- Qiallyfaerossztheir :bases andatthe abutting mare gins of adjacent tubes. The.hereinaboyedescribed construction .makes .feasible .good :bonding with littleorznasianger .of .forming objectionable pockets. Qiair .a the yiuriritilre o.f,.a.diacer1t,tubesunder `the.v ulcariizatie1.1..

,SRiIiWSS :may DE in QOmHUlIlQfQII Wihliatnzill- :il iris manifsild .30 .ex-.tending `.clriordwise at Qne s- Q.f:the;e9re.r.i.ng and the .other setoffabric ae. .forced .tubes .fl-.4, `t4 may beinppmrriunication with a chordwise extendinginiating manifold 31| atzthe sameendvQrthefcovering asshcyvninlifig. 2. .The .manifolds 30, ;3 I .are .connected to .a Isuitable sourcepf air under .pressure and suitable @valve means (not `shown)V in `the .aircraft structure, whereby .the respective .sets .of inflatable .tubes 1.4, I4..and I5,.I:5.are inflated in alternation. Such 'inflation effects the desired .bulging .and :lateral -distention of the tubes I5, I5'in overlapping ire- Ilation .to the positions vof the `uninilated ,tubes iI'4, I4 during-one phase lof the inflationfcycle, and eiects distention-of the tubes I4, I4 to-substantially the rounded shapes shown in Fig. 5 during'the other phase of vthe inflation cycle, :therebyieifectively removingthe iceideposited on ithe covering including the ice. oyerlyingf the joints vbetweenadjacent tubes.

Variations may be made .without departing ffromthe scopeof `the inventionvas itis defined in the-following claims.

11. .Apparatus .-for.;.preventing .the .accumulation .of ice/ upon af surface exposed to ice-forming. consaid surface having Walls therein defining a pair of alternately inflatable passages in side-by-side relation upon underlying material of the covering with adjacent marginal wall portions of the passages directly along side one another and joined together to provide a unitary wall between said passages, one of said marginal wall portions between the passages comprising ,extensible rubber material Without .extensionlf-limiting reinforcement therein which rubber material also extends about the outer Wall portion of one of said .passages for exteijrsive inflation of the passage to 'dispose the outer Wall portion in overlapping relation 2to -the vmargin of the uninfiated other passage, and .the other marginal wall portion between the passagescomprising material relatively inextensible. which material also extends about f the outer Wall portion of said other passage for `ziitions, saidapparatus comprising acovering for 75 restricting inflation of the passage to a width no greater than the width of the uninflated passage and forreinfrorcing both said vmarginal .wall portions between-Said p aSsagSagainSt rupture, .While perijnitting the Arelatively greater `distension.of .the first .said passage, saidextensible rubber lmaterial and the .relativelyinextensiblematerial of said marginal wall portions .being integrally .united with one another and ywith .said underlying ma-.- .terial of the @citrine .across aiisi between saisi passages, and 4conduit .means said covering in.- .dividiial to eath .f .said Passages .ier .tondiieiiii iriiatiiie medium to inflate Saidjrassaees alten.- nately .2. 'Apparatus for 4iirezeritirg the .accentuation office" Supori a stiftet esposte t0. ite-f conditioriss TSari @prefetti remrrisiiig a f1.0 comprising .resilieiit .rubber .matefialbigr raideur: tace 'having therein ,.apar Qi .alternately inflat.- able .tubes lCli.sr .0sgt -b-.neath Oye. f rubber material .of .the :cogerin ,of substan uniform .stlethability .ansi .di

.slderelation .ripariunderlying)materialffltritoy;

eingwan .adjacejigttlfagginjs gf .the tubes admin; ing one another in united relation Olie `to lwiilsbfseidi bei-against.riliitrai cent margins thereof, While permitting the 1a- -tiieiy greater asentar trite .tra .tite saisi resilient riiiiber friiaterial. the less tensib1e'materia1 of said walls bei gintegraily .united with aiietiier.atsaidiadiageiit @grams and with said overlyingr ilicntmaterial andisaiud iiiideriyiiig lmaterial ss ,and -fbetween said .d .-.QQniiiiit means iri said I .CQveriiig irditofeacntofsaidtubes for ccnduetiiigiin- Yfiatiiig medium to inflate. said tubes alternately 3. In anY airfoil protective covering, in combinatifzri; .:a body .of iresilientfrubber-lilse -.materia1.

: a iplurality .of iniiatable tubes of substantially -iinifor-m diameter extending beneath vz-.tlie

inforcementiof. highly .Strathable Y textile ftabric sheetv .material overlying .said -tubes .inpnited relation-therewith, said tubesfbeing .disposed iin side-by-side relation with adjacent margins of adjacent tubes directly along side one another in united relation one to the other and being disposed in sets of tubes arranged in alternation and alternately inflatable, the walls of one set of tubes consisting of resilient rubber-like material for extensive inflation of such tubes to dispose the outer wall portions thereof in overlapping relation to the margins of the uninfiated adjacent tubes of the other set thereof, the walls of said other set of tubes comprising continuous annular textile fabric material relatively inextensible as compared to the walls of the first set of tubes for restricting inflation of each tube of said other set to a width no greater than the width of the uninfiated tube and by virtue of the united relation of the tubes for reinforcing the walls of the tubes of both sets against rupture at their adjacent margins, while permitting the relatively greater distension of the tubes of the first said set, said rubber-like material and said fabric material of said walls being integrally united with one another at said adjacent margins and with the reinforced rubber-like material of said outer surface and with said underlying material across kand between said tubes, and individual conduits in said covering each in communication with the tubes of one of said sets for conducting inflating medium to inflate said sets of tubes in alternation.

4. Apparatus for preventing the accumulation of ice on the leading edge of an airfoil, said apparatus comprising a body of resilient rubber-like material having therein a first set of inflatable tubes and a second set of inflatable tubes inflatable as a set in alternationwith said first set of tubes and alternately positioned between the tubes of said first set with margins of the tubes of one set adjoining margins of the tubes of the other set and united therewith, the attached margins of the adjoining tubes being united with underlying material of said body across and between the tubes and with outer wall portions of the tubes, the tubes of said first set comprising resilient rubber-like material with a reinforcement of stretch-resisting material therein extending about the margins and also about the outer wall portions of the tubes and limiting expansibility of the tubes, and the tubes of said second set comprising resilient rubber-like material without such reinforcement therein and being thereby expansible to a relatively great extent as compared to that of the tubes of said first set, while the margins of the tubes of said second set are strengthened against rupture by said reinforcement in the attached margins of the adjoining tubes, and conduit means in said covering individual to each of said sets of tubes for conducting inflating medium to inflate said rst set of tubes in alternation with said second set of tubes.

5. Apparatus for preventing the accumulation of ice on the leading edge of an airfoil, said apparatus comprising a body of resilient rubber material having therein a rst set of inflatable tubes and a second set of inflatable tubes inflatable as a set in alternation with said first set of tubes and alternately positioned between the tubes of said first set With margins of the tubes of one set adjoining margins of the tubes of the other set and united therewith, said first and said second set of inflatable tubes being disposed upon underlying material of said body and beneath overlying 6 resilient rubber material of said body of substantially uniform stretchability, the attached margins of the adjoining tubes being united with said underlying material of said body across and between the tubes and with said overlying material of said body, the tubes of said first set comprising resilient rubber with a reinforcement of stretch-resisting fabric material therein extending about the margins and also about the outer wall portions of the tubes for restricting inflation of each of the tubes to a width no greater than that of the uninfiated tube, the tubes of said second set comprising resilient rubber material without such fabric reinforcement therein and being thereby inflatable to an extent such as to dispose the outer wall portions of the tubes in overlapping relation to the positions of the uninfiated tubes of said first set, while the margins of the tubes of said second set are strengthened against rupture by the fabric in the attached margins of the adjoining tubes, and conduit means in said covering individual to each of said sets of tubes for conducting inflating medium to inflate said first set of tubes in alternation with said second set of tubes.

6. Apparatus for preventing the accumulation of ice on the leading edge of an airfoil, said apparatus comprising a first set of inflatable tubes and a second set of inflatable tubes inflatable as a set in alternation with said first set of tubes and alternately positioned between the tubes of said first set with margins of the tubes of one set adjoining margins of the tubes of the other set and united therewith, both sets of tubes being of substantially uniform diameter, an outer sheet comprising resilient rubber of substantially uniform stretchability having a sheet of elastic textile fabric therein overlying both sets of tubes, an inner sheet of resilient rubber underlying both sets of tubes, the outer and inner sheets of resilient rubber extending across and between said tubes in united relation therewith including the attached margins thereof, the tubes of said first set comprising resilient rubber and a continuous annular reinforcement of stretch-resisting textile fabric material therein restricting inflation of each of the tubes to a width no greater than that of the uninfiated tube, the tubes of said second set comprising resilient rubber without such annular fabric reinforcement therein and being thereby inflatable to an extent such as to dispose the outer wall portions of the tubes in overlapping relation to the margins of the uninfiated tubes of said first set, while the margins of the tubes of said second set are strengthened against rupture by the fabric in the attached margins of the adjoining tubes, and a pair of tubular manifolds in said covering each in communication with the tubes of one of said sets for conducting inilating medium to inflate said first set of tubes in alternation with said second set of tubes.

CHARLES F. TOTHEROH.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the le of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 1,998,809 Geer Apr. 25, 1935 2,271,760 Colley Feb. 3, 1942 2,436,889 Heston Mar. 2, 1948 2,440,533v Antonson Apr. 27, 1948 

